David Moyes says Juan Mata can rescue Manchester United’s crisis-hit season by saving them from the Champions League scrapheap.

Mata was officially introduced as United’s record signing following his £37.1million move from Chelsea , with Moyes backing him to inspire them to a top-four finish.

United are in danger of missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 19 years, with the Reds currently 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and six points off fourth spot, in seventh place.

But after four home defeats already this season, Moyes said Mata’s arrival would give United the lift they needed to improve and get back into top-four contention.

“What he will do is help us improve results,” said Moyes. “We’ve had a problem at Old Trafford making and scoring goals. If you look back at our record this season, that’s been our biggest downfall.

“It’s not necessarily been about conceding goals or how we’ve been away from home, it’s just that when we’ve been at Old Trafford, we’ve tended to not be as clinical or make as many opportunities as we would have liked.

“I think the message this sends out, as I said in the summer, is that we’re going for all the best players in the world at Manchester United and I think Juan is one of those players.

“He’s a top Spanish player, a top Premier League player and I think if you asked any Premier League supporter, no matter what club they support, they would be an admirer of Juan.

“He’s played in big games already for club and country, and I do see him fitting in. Hopefully that doesn’t take him much time. But I do still think coming to Manchester United is a big change. For any player or any manager, it’s a big thing.”